AGITATE Synonyms: 167 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'agitate' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of agitate are convulse , rock , and shake . While all these words mean "to move up and down or to and fro with some violence," agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring. // an ocean agitated by storms

Q: When is it sensible to use 'convulse' instead of 'agitate'?

The words convulse and agitate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm. // spectators were convulsed with laughter

Q: Where would 'rock' be a reasonable alternative to 'agitate'?

Although the words rock and agitate have much in common, rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval. // the whole city was rocked by the explosion

Q: When can 'shake' be used instead of 'agitate'?

The meanings of shake and agitate largely overlap; however, shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose. // shake well before using

agitate

verb

ˈa-jə-ˌtāt

Definition of agitate

as in to stir

to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly this room could use a ceiling fan to agitate the stuffy air a bit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to disturb

to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy there's no need to agitate the patient about little things

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to shake

to make a series of small irregular or violent movements set the washing machine so it will agitate for four minutes before going into the rinse cycle

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to discuss

to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion a question which has been agitated by the legislature time and time again

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word agitate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of agitate are convulse, rock, and shake. While all these words mean "to move up and down or to and fro with some violence," agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring.

an ocean agitated by storms

When is it sensible to use convulse instead of agitate?

The words convulse and agitate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm.

spectators were convulsed with laughter

Where would rock be a reasonable alternative to agitate?

Although the words rock and agitate have much in common, rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval.

the whole city was rocked by the explosion

When can shake be used instead of agitate?

The meanings of shake and agitate largely overlap; however, shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose.

shake well before using

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of agitate The poorer the air being inhaled by children in Hackney, the more regularly the dust was agitated and the thicker the storm and richer the color inside the box. — Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026 Hold both sides of the duvet and gently agitate the filling in small sections to make sure that the water and soap thoroughly soak through. — Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2026 Oneida County Captain Tyler Young told the Journal Sentinel at the time that Taege approached Maulson and saw that he was agitated. — Frank Vaisvilas, jsonline.com, 21 Sep. 2026 Uneasy feelings activate self-critical thoughts as the moon agitates Chiron. — Usa Today, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for agitate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate

Verb

All of them are troubled by increasing animosity from their many political adversaries, especially because the series’ big bad, an immortal named Koschei the Deathless, seems to be stirring in mysterious ways.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026
Her father, who was Jonah’s partner, killed himself after the disappearance of his wife, just to stir in some extra disaster to start.

— Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of stir

Verb

Her departure came just the day after prosecutors said the baby's mother discovered disturbing camera footage over a three-month period.

— Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Then the heart-wrenching, disturbing discussion of why Nevada became famous overnight was brought up.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of disturb

Verb

What readers are saying The comments discuss various aspects of maintaining health and well-being as one ages, emphasizing the importance of exercise, healthy eating, adequate sleep, and mental activity.

— Richard Sima, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Without a sustained industrial push that the EU has only begun to discuss, Europe can raise the commercial and regulatory costs of the route, but cannot prevent or replace the China-Russia partnership that now operates it.

— Lee Ying Shan,Matthew Tan, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of discuss

Verb

The mathematics and computer science graduate, who spent two years in the Peace Corps, launched Netflix by mailing DVDs in red envelopes to customers bothered by Blockbuster Video chain’s practices and late fees.

— Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Some people, like me, are bothered by such images but can mostly ignore them.

— Gabriela Galvin, Scientific American, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of bother

Verb

This relies on two tweeters wedged between the display glass and the frame, and two woofers under the glass, which vibrate against the screen to generate bass.

— Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 28 Oct. 2026
Providers usually make three to four quick injections along the lower part of the muscle, sometimes with numbing cream or a vibrating tool, then apply ice.

— Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of vibrate

Verb

This month, the council held a nine-hour hearing to debate tax proposals, including the BAT, as the council attempts to mitigate budget shortfalls for fiscal year 2028.

— Irit Skulnik, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
When Risch declined to debate, Achilles showed up to directly confront the incumbent at a limited public appearance in Boise, where Risch was set to speak at a 9/11 memorial event.

— Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of debate

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agita

agitate

agitated

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Style

“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of agitate

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